An inductively coupled interrogator-responder arrangement having two dimensional and limited three dimensional capability. An interrogator means having AC power field generating capability and uniquely coded information field receiving capability may be positioned at a known location such as in a preselected...http://www.google.com/patents/US3859624?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US3859624 - Inductively coupled transmitter-responder arrangement

An inductively coupled interrogator-responder arrangement having two dimensional and limited three dimensional capability. An interrogator means having AC power field generating capability and uniquely coded information field receiving capability may be positioned at a known location such as in a preselected position in a roadway. The interrogator generates an AC power field in regions adjacent thereto. A responder tag means may be positioned on, for example, vehicles. The responder tag may be completely passive, that is, receiving its power from the AC power field generated by the interrogator. As the vehicle approaches the interrogator unit power is received by the responder tag through inductive coupling and the responder tag generates an uniquely coded information field unique to the particular responder tag on the vehicle. The uniquely coded information field is inductively coupled into the uniquely coded information field receiving portion of the interrogator and an information signal is generated in the interrogator having an information content corresponding to the particular code in the uniquely coded information field. In embodiments where the responder tag is self-powered, the interrogator means does not generate an AC power field and the inductive coupling between the responder tag means and the interrogator means is limited to the inductive coupling of the uniquely coded information field generated in the responder tag and received by the interrogator means.

Description of the Prior Art In the above-identified copending application there is described an interrogator-responder arrangement utilized for identification of various objects such as baggage, vehicles, or the like. The invention so described and claimed in the above-identified patent application is directed primarily to an interrogatorresponder arrangement having three dimensional capability and in which the responder tag is entirely passive. There is also described and claimed therein other embodiments in which an embodiment having two dimensional with limited three dimensional identification capability is provided.

The present invention is directed primarily towards an improvement in the electronic components and circuitry of the responder tag and the interrogator means and the improved circuitry and components may equally well be utilized, as desired, in the structure defined and claimed in the above-identified patent application. In the present invention, however, the interrogator-responder tag arrangement is exemplified by a system in which there is provided two dimensional and limited three dimensional identification capability utilizing the improved circuity and components therein. This embodiment of the present invention is particularly adaptable to, for example, the identification of vehicles such as automobiles, buses, trucks, freight cars, or the like, traveling in comparatively known paths past fixed installations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved interrogator-responder tag arrangement.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved responder tag for generating an unique coded information field.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved interrogator for generating an AC power field.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved interrogator for receiving an inductively coupled uniquely coded information field generated in the responder tag and generating an information signal having an information content corresponding to the uniquely coded information field.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved interrogator-responder identification system arrangement in which the capability exists to couple power inductively into the responder tag and couple inductively an uniquely coded information sig nal generated in the responder tag to the interrogator.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an interrogator-responder tag identification system having a responder tag capability for generating a very large number of unique code combinations in a small size in form amenable to mass production.

The above and other objects of the present invention are achieved, according to one embodiment thereof, in an interrogator-responder tag arrangement having two dimensional and limited three dimensional capability. It will be appreciated that the utilization of such a structure as an embodiment of the present invention is not limiting thereon. Rather, of course, the structural components of the present invention may equally well be utilized in full three dimensional embodiments to provide such detection and identification. Therefore, the selection of a two dimensional with limited three dimensional capability arrangement is merely illustrative of the principals of the present invention.

In such a preferred embodiment an interrogator means may be positioned at a known point on, for example, a roadway. The interrogator, in this embodiment, has the capability for both generating an AC power field in regions adjacent thereto and for receiving an uniquely coded information field from a re sponder tag in proximity thereto. Both the transmission of the AC power field to the responder tag and the transmission of the uniquely codled information field from the responder tag to the interrogator is by inductive coupling.

The interrogator means has a power supply for providing a source of controlled electric energy. The power supply may be, for example, a battery or a source of AC electric energy. The: controlled energy is utilized to power the various components of the interrogator means.

A power signal-time base generator means which comprises a phase locked loop self-timed at a first frequency receives the controlled electric energy from the 'power supply and generates an AC power signal in re sponse thereto. The AC power signal is a self-timed phase locked power signal and is transmitted to a power field generator means. The power field generator means may comprise a coil embedded a preselected distance beneath the surface of the roadway and may, typically, have dimensions on the order of two feet by eight feet. These dimensions, of course, are merely illustrative and the coil may be either larger or smaller as desired for particular applications. The coil, then, receives the self-timed phase locked power signal and generates an AC power field in regions adjacent thereto. In this embodiment of the invention the responder tag is passive and receives its power from the AC power field that is generated in the interrogator by inductive coupling. The responder tag has a first coil for receiving the AC power field and provides DC tag power signals in response to the reception thereof. Thus, the responder tag, being entirely passive, only generates the uniquely coded information field in response to the presence of the AC power field. The DC tag power signals are received by a code signal time base generator means which generates a code time base signal at a preselected code clock frequency.

A code signal generator means is powered by the DC tag power signals and receives the code time base signal and repetitively generates an uniqued clocked code signal. The unique clocked code signal is clocked at the preselected code clocked frequency of the code time base signal. A code information signal and time base generator means is also powered by the DC tag power signals and receives the unique clocked code signal and generates, in response thereto, a self-clocking coded information signal that is unique to the particular responder tag. The self-clocking coded information signal is fed into a coded information field generator, which, in this embodiment of the present invention, comprises a second tag coil and the uniquely coded information field is generated in the second coil in response to the presence of the self-clocking coded information signal.

The uniquely coded information field is inductively coupled into a coded information field receiver of the interrogator. In this embodiment of the present invention a single coil is utilized, sequentially, to provide both the AC power field when operating in a first mode and for receiving the uniquely coded information field when operating in a second mode. Switching between the two modes is automatically done in the interrogator. Thus, the interrogator sequentially operates between the tirst mode comprising the generation of the AC power field and a second mode comprising receiving the uniquely coded information field from the responder tag.

The interrogator comprises suitable circuitry for proper validation of the uniquely coded information field and generating the information signal having an information content corresponding thereto. The information signal may then be utilized on any type of display such as, for example, a digital display, stored on magnetic tape for subsequent computer use, or the like.

In other embodiments of the present invention wherein electric energy is available at the responder tag, the interrogator does not generate an AC power field for inductive coupling into the responder tag. Rather, the responder tag is self-powered and may, if desired, continuously generate the uniquely coded information field for inductive coupling into the interrogator means operating continuously in the second mode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The above and other embodiments of the present invention may be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken together with the accompanying drawings wherein similar reference characters refer to similar elements throughout and in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram partly in pictorial form of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a graphical representation of the characteristics of the interrogator means shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram, partly in pictorial form, of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram form of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an interrogator means useful in the practice of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a graphical representation of the characteristics of the interrogator means shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a responder tag useful in the practice of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of another responder tag embodiment useful in the practice of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of another responder tag embodiment useful in the practice of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a power field receiver means useful in the practice of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a code signal time base generator means useful in the practice of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a code signal generator useful in the practice of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of a coded information signal and time base generator, and a coded information field generator useful in the practice of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a graphical representation of the characteristics associated with the responder tag illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram, partically in schematic diagram form, of a power supply useful in the practice of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram ofa power signal time base generator means useful in the practice of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a graphical representation of the characteristics of the power signal and time base generator shown in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a coded information signal detector useful in the practice of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a graphical representation of the wave forms assocaiated with the coded information signal detector shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of an information capture and validation logic means useful in the practice of the present invention; and

FIGS. 22 and 23 are graphical representation of the characteristics associated with the information capture and validation logic means illustrated in FIG. 21.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. 1 there is shown, in block diagram form, the general arrangement of one embodiment, generally designated 10, of a preferred form of an interrogator means 12 and responder tag 14 according to the principals of the present invention. The interrogator means 12, in this embodiment of the present invention, establishes an AC power field at a first frequency, shown on FIG. 1 asfl for inductive coupling into the responder tag 14 and also received an uniquely coded information field which is inductively coupled with the responder tag 14 into the interrogator means 12 at a second frequency shown on FIG. 1 as f2. The interrogator means 12 also generates an output signal in response to the presence of a detected uniquely coded information field.

The responder tag 14 is positionable in AC power field and uniquely coded information field energy exchange relationship by, for example, inductive coupling, to the interrogator means 12 and receives the AC power field at frequencyfl generated in the interrogator means 12 and generates the uniquely coded information field at the frequencyf2 in response thereto.

The interrogator means 12 of the embodiment shown on FIG. 1 is generally comprised of a power supply 16 for generating a controlled source ofelectric energy utilized to provide the basic power for the interrogator means 12. A power signal and time base generator means 18 is powered by the controlled electric energy generated in the power supply 16 and generates an AC power signal for transmission to a power field generator means 20. In the embodiment 10 shown on FIG. 1 it is preferred that the power signal and time base generator generally comprise a phase locked loop selftimed at the first frequencyfl and, therefore, the AC power signal generated in the power signal time base generator 18 comprises a self-timed phase locked power signal at the first frequency fl.

The power field generator means 20 receives the selftimed phase locked power signal and generates the AC power field at the first frequency in response thereto. The power field generator means 20, in the embodiment 10 shown on FIG. 1, may generally comprise an induction coil that is utilized to generate the AC power field within inductive coupling range of the responder tag 14.

When a responder tag 14 is within AC power field energy exchange relationship to the interrogator means 12 the AC power field is inductively coupled into a power field receiver means 22 of the responder tag 14. The power field receiver means 22 may comprise a high permeability coil means for the inductive coupling to extract energy from the AC power field provided by the power field generator 20. The power field receiver means 22 also generates DC responder tag power signals in response to the presence of the AC power field inductively coupled thereto. The -DC responder tag power signals generated in the power field receiver means 22 are utilized to provide the power for the responder tag 14. In this embodiment 10 of the present invention as shown on FIG. 1 responder tag 14 is passive and all power into the responder tag 14 is received from the AC power field inductively coupled thereto from the power field generator 20 of the interrogator means 12.

The responder tag 14 also comprises a code signal time base generator means 24 powered by the DC tag power signals generated in the power field receiver means 22 and the code signal time base generator means 24 generates a code time base signal at a code clock or third frequency 13. If desired, the third frequency of the code time base signal generated by the code signal time base generator 24 may be the same as the first frequency of the AC power field generated by the power field generator means 20 of the interrogator 12, for example, 50 kiloHertz.

In the embodiment of the invention 10 shown on FIG. 1 it is preferred that the responder tag 14 be selfclocking, or self-synchronizing. As described below in greater detail, no specific phase or frequency relationship must be maintained between the AC power field generated by the power field generator means 20 of the interrogator means 12 and the uniquely coded information field generated in the responder tag 14.

The code time base signal at the third frequency is coupled into a code signal generator means 26 that is also powered by the DC tag power signals generated in the power field receiver means 22. The code signal generator means 26 may be an integrated circuit comprising a metal oxide semiconductor multiplexer, a complimentary metal oxide semiconductor multiplexer, silicon on sapphire semiconductor multiplexer or the like. That is, it should provide a high information bit capability in a comparatively small volume and utilizing comparatively small amounts of power. The code signal generator 26 generates a code that is unique to the particular responder tag and the code signal itself is comprised, generally, of a binary notation code, for example, in which there is provided a plurality of bits corresponding to each information digit. A first portion of the plurality of bits are utilized as a synchronization or keying portion of the code signal, a second portion as a parity portion and the remaining bits in the code signal define, in binary terms in this embodiment, an information signal portion that is unique to the particular responder tag.

The code signal generator 26 generates the unique clocked code signal that is clocked at the third frequency of the code time base signal generated in the code signal time base generator 24. The unique clock code signal generated in the code signal generator means 26 is repetitively generated during a predetermined time interval after an AC power field has been received by the power field receiver means 22 and before the next receipt of an AC power field. Thus, the responder tag 14 is cyclically operable in a first mode comprising an AC power field receiving mode and a second mode comprising an uniquely coded information field generating mode.

The repetitively generated unique clocked code signal generated in the code signal generator 26 is coupled into a coded information signal and time base generator means 28 that is also powered by the DC tag power signals generated in the power field receiver means 22. The coded information signal and time base generator means 28 receives the unique clocked code signal and generates a self-clocking coded information signal that is also unique to the particular responder tag 14 in response thereto. The self-clocking coded information signal generated by the coded information signal and time base generator means 28 has a frequency f2 and modulates the code time base signal. In the embodi ment 10 shown on FlG..l the frequencyj2 may be, for example, on the order of 500 kiloHertz and is modulated by the code time base signal at frequency 13 by amplitude modulation. The self-clocking coded information signal generated in the coded information and time base generator 28 is coupled into a coded information field generator 30 which, for example, may comprise an induction coil coplanar with the induction coil of the power field receiver means 22. The coded information field generator generates the uniquely coded information field in regions adjacent the interrogator means 12 for inductive coupling thereto.

The interrogator means 12 also comprises a coded information field receiver means 32 for receiving the uniquely coded information field. generated by the coded information field generator :means 30 of the responder tag 14 and may, for example, comprise the same coil means utilized as the power field generator means 20 or, in other embodiments, may comprise a separate coil. The coded information field receiver means 32, upon receipt of the coded information field, generates an uniquely coded information signal therein which is detected by a coded information signal detector means 34. The coded information signal detection means 32 is also powered by the power supply 16 and generates a detected coded signal in response to the presence of the coded information signal in the coded information field receiver means 32. The detected coded signal generated in the coded information signal detector means 34 is coupled into an information capture and validation logic means 36 which is also powered by the controlled electric energy from the power supply 16. The information and capture validation logic means 36 receives the detected coded signal from the coded information signal detector means 34 and generates an output signal having an information content corresponding to the uniquely coded information field generated by the coded information field generator 30 of the responder tag 14. The output signal from the information capture and validation logic means 36 may be utilized to indicate the code corresponding to the responder tag 14 in any desired manner. For example, it may be stored on magnetic tape for utilization in a computer, it may be presented in a visual display or it may be transmitted elsewhere for subsequent utilization, as shown by the information storage display or communication means 38.

FIG. 2 is a pictorial illustration, partially in block diagram form, of the embodiment) of the invention shown on FIG. 1. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the power field receiver 22 and coded information field generator 30 of the interrogator means 12 comprise an unitary coil. In one application of the present invention this coil may be installed beneath the surface of a roadway in a substantially horizontal plane. The responder tag 14, in this application, may be installed, for example, on the underside of a vehicle as a taxi cab, police car, bus, or any other type of vehicle adapted to traverse the roadway and incorporates two separate coils. The power field receiver coil is part of the power field receiver 22 which also comprises a rectifier energy storage and regulator portion 22'. A separate coil 30 comprises the coded information field generator 30. These two coils are substantially coplanar. When the responder tag 14 is in inductive coupling energy transfer relationship to the interrogator means 12 energy may be transferred from the power field generator coil 20 to the power field receiver coil portion 22" of the power field receiver 22 on the responder tag 14. The responder tag 14 then generates the coded information field in the coded information field generator 30 for inductive coupling into the coded information field receiver coil 34 of the interrogator means 12.

In the embodiment of the present invention, since an unitary coil is utilized for both the power field generator and the coded information field receiver 32 in the interrogator means 12, the interrogator means 12 is sequentially and cyclically operable in a plurality of modes. A first mode comprises an AC power generating mode in which the AC power field is generated in the power field generator 20. A second mode comprises an uniquely coded information field receiver mode for receiving the uniquely coded information field from the responder tag 14. FIG. 3 is a graphical representation of the cyclic operation of the interrogator means 12 and responder tag 14 in the two modes of operation. As shown on Curve 3A the power field is on for a given time period which, for example, may be a few milliseconds and then, as described below in greater detail, switched off. During the off period as shown by Curve 38 an uniquely coded information field that may be present due to the proximity of a responder tag 14 is detected. As described below in greater detail, when a valid uniquely coded information field is received, the interrogator 12 operates in the second mode until the valid transmission thereto is ended.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention generally designated 40. The responder tag 14 in the embodiment 40 may be similar to the responder tag 14 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 except that the uniquely coded information field is con tinuously gener- V V ated during the time that the AC power field is received. However, the interrogator means 42 is provided with two separate coils. A first of these coils may be the power field generator coil 44 in which the AC power field for transmission to the responder tag 14 is generated in the manner similar to that described above in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2. A second coil 46 comprises a coded information field receiver coil for receiving the uniquely coded information signal from the responder tag 14. The remaining structure of the interrogator means 42 may be similar to the interrogator means 12 except that, if desired, in this embodiment 40 of the present invention the two modes of operation of the interrogator means 42 may be carrried on simultaneously. That is, the AC power field may be continuously generated in the power field generator coil 44 and the coded information signal detector 34 may continuously monitor the detection of any signal that may be present in the coded information field receiver coil 46 as induced by the inductive coupling of the uniquely coded information field thereto from the coded information field generator coil 30 of the responder tag 14.

In the embodiments 10 and 40 of the present invention described above, the power for operation of the responder tag was inductively coupled thereto from the interrogator means. It will be appreciated, however, that the responder tag may be self-powered. For example, where power may be available such as in a vehicle, the responder tag may receive its power from the electric energy source contained within the vehicle.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment generally designated 50 of the present invention wherein the re sponder tag 52 is self-powered and does not require the transmission thereto of electrical energy from the interrogator means 54. The interrogator means 54 is provided with a power supply 56, which may be similar to the power supply 16 described above, and also incorporates a coded information field receiver 58, a coded information signal detector 60, an information capture validation logic means 62 and an information storage display or communication means 64 all of which may be substantially similar to the coded information field receiver 32, coded information signal detector means 34, information capture validation logic means 36 and information storage, display or communication means 38 described above.

The responder tag 52 is provided with a responder tag power supply means 66 for generating DC tag power signals and may receive its energy from the electrical energy source of, for example, a vehicle (not shown) comprising a battery. The responder tag 52 is also provided with a code signal time base generator means 68, a code signal generator means 70, a coded information signal and time base generator 72 and a coded information field generator 74 all of which may be similar, respectively, to the code signal time base generator 24, code signal generator 26, coded information signal and time base generator 28 and coded information field generator 30 described above.

In this embodiment 50 of the present invention the responder tag 52 may continuously generate the unique coded information signal at the frequencyfZ, for example 500 kHz, for inductive coupling it to the coded information field receiver 58 of the interrogator means 54. The code signal time base generator 68 of the responder tag 52 generates the code time base signal at the code clock frequency shown asfl on FIG. 5, as described above, which may be on the order of 50 kHz. The interrogator means 54, in this embodiment 50 of the present invention, may continuously operate in the above-mentioned second mode of operation comprising the uniquely coded information field receiver mode for receiving through inductive coupling the uniquely coded information field from the responder tag 52.

HO. 6 illustrates another embodiment generally designated 80 of a interrogator means 82 useful in the practice of the present invention. In this embodiment 80 there is provided in the interrogator means 82 a power supply 84 which may be similar to the power supply 16 described above, a power signal and time base generator means 86 which may be similar to the power signal time base generator 18 described above, and a power field generator 88 which may be similar to the power field generator described above. There is also provided a coded information field receiver 90 which may be similar to the coded information field receiver 32 described above, a coded information signal detector 92 which may be similar to the coded information signal detector 34 described above, an information capture and validation logic means 94 which may be similar to the information capture and validation logic means 36 described above and an information storage display or communication means 96 which may be similar to the information storage display or communication means 38 described above.

However, in this embodiment 80 of the interrogator means 82 there is also provided a presence detector 98 that is powered by the power supply 84 and receives the detected coded signal from the coded information signal detector 92 and transmits a presence detection signal to the power signal and time base generator means 86. The presence detector is utilized to detect the presence of, for example, a vehicle approaching the interrogator means 82. It is not utilized, in this embodiment 80 of the interrogator means 82 just to detect the presence of a responder tag. Thus, the presence detector 98 may comprise a vehicle treddle such as those commonly utilized to actuate traffic control lights, it may comprise a radar type system, an ultra sonic type system or any other type system for detecting the approach of a vehicle which may incorporate a responder tag.

in this embodiment 80 of the interrogator means 82 the first mode of operation thereof which comprises the AC power generating mode comprises a first power level condition for generating the AC power field at a comparatively low power level when there is not detected the presence of an approaching vehicle. FIG. 7 illustrates the cycle of operation of the interrogator means 82. After each cycle of the first power level mode there is a presence detection mode of operation for determining the presence of an approaching vehicle. When the presence detector 98 detects the presence of an approaching vehicle the interrogator means 82, in its first mode of operation, is automatically switched to a second power level condition in which the AC power field is generated at a comparatively high power level. For the interrogator means 82 operating in the second power level condition of the first power mode it is cyclically switched between the second power level condition and an information signal and detection mode of operation in which the information field generated by an adjacent responder tag is detectecl. The interrogator means 82 may continue to cyclically switch between the second power level condition of the first operating mode and the information sig nal detection mode for a fixed time period after the detection of an approaching vehicle or, if desired, until no information signal is received by the coded information field receiver 90. In any event, the interrogator means 82, after the responder tag has passed the location thereof reverts back to the first power level condition during the first mode of operation.

A responder tag such as the responder tag 14 described above may be utilized in this embodiment of the present invention. lt has been found that the interrogator means 82 is particularly useful where the power supply 84 comprises a battery in order to conserve the electrical energy of the battery when generating the AC power field.

FIG. 8 illustrates another embodiment generally designated 100 of the present invention comprising a responder tag 102. The responder tag 102 is provided with a power field receiver means 104 which may be similar to the power field receiver means 22 described above, a code signal time base generator means 106 which may be similar to the code signal time base gen erator means 24 described above, a code signal generator 108 which may be similar to the code signal generator 26 described above, a coded information signal and time base generator means 110 which may be similar to the coded information signal and time base generator means 28 described above and a coded information field generatorll2 which may be similar to the coded information field generator means 30 described above. The responder tag 102 is also supplied with an external message means 114 which generates a signal for trans mission to the code signal generator means 108. The external message means 114 may comprise some type of variable message that is to be included in the uniquely coded information field generated by the coded information field generator 112 for inductive coupling into an interrogator means. For example, the external message may comprise the destination of a taxi cab or police car, the number of passengers or other desired indicia of a bus, or the like. The external message is impressed into the code signal generator and may be considered as part of the uniquely coded information field that is transmitted to the interrogator means. The external message means 114 may be powered by its own power source such as the source of energy in the vehicle or, alternatively, it could draw power from the power field receiver 104. The external message means 114 may also be used, for course, in the responder tag embodiment 52 described above where in the responder tag is self-powered.

FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of a responder tag 122 useful in the practice of the present in-